[Loci]

[ QUOTE ]
I really really don't want to get checkraised here. His bet out on the flop probably means a spade or top pair+. I think I'm ahead here, but if I'm checkraised, I am going to be very sad. By checking it through, I have to give up if a spade falls, but otherwise, I think I'm still winning here.

[/ QUOTE ]
So, 1-4? I can see reasons for every move, but only if you're looking to play a small pot on purpose. If not, it's just cowardly and you're going to lose a lot of money.

Working backwards...I think the river is okay because if you bet anything he calls with will probably beat you, aside, of course from a bare 8, 6, or 3. This is fine..... The turn I really feel you need to pot bet. Unless I miss recall, he raised preflop(or called yours) so I don't put him on a nine. We agree, at least in our blind assumption that he's on a flush draw. If he had the flush, he would have slow played OR continued to bet the flush. He bet out because he was on a draw and wanted to win it there...... On the flop, I hate not raising here. If he reraises all in, you know where you stand, you're all but dead against a probable flopped flush, and you're going to lose less money than you would have otherwise. If he has any flush OTHER than the nuts, it's hard to not make this raise because you don't want a lone A [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] taking it away from you cheaply. He will therefore fold or flat call. If he flat calls, you can take a variety of different approaches on the turn and river, as I have already discussed...... preflop, if I remember correctly was fine.